President Trump touted his policies to help women in the workforce Wednesday, just a day after Hillary Clinton slammed his administration for its lack of high-ranking appointments for women.
“My Cabinet is full of really incredible women leaders,” Mr. Trump said at a White House event on empowering women. “I’m so proud that the White House and our administration is filled with so many women of such incredible talent.”
He pointed to Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, as well as Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Speaking to an audience in San Francisco Tuesday night, Mrs. Clinton said the Trump administration has the fewest women in top jobs “in a generation.” There are four women holding Cabinet-level jobs in the administration out of 23 positions.
Had she won the election, Mrs. Clinton had promised women would fill half of her Cabinet jobs.
The president said his administration is working every day “to ensure that our economy is a place where women can work, succeed and thrive like never before.”
“That includes fighting to make sure that all mothers and all families have access to affordable childcare,” Mr. Trump said. “Only by enlisting the full potential of women in our society will we be truly able to — you have not heard this expression before — make America great again.”
Earlier in the day, first lady Melania Trump hosted an International Women of Courage awards event at the State Department, honoring the work and bravery of 13 women from around the world.
“These honorees are true heroes,” the first lady said.
Vice President Mike Pence said Mr. Trump “has advanced the interests of women and relied on women leaders at crucial moments throughout his career,” noting that Kellyanne Conway became the first woman in U.S. history to lead a successful presidential campaign. The observation brought a standing ovation for Mrs. Conway, now the president’s counselor.
“The truth is American women are making a difference in our administration, in our economy, in our communities every single day,” Mr. Pence said. “They’re driving our economy through entrepreneurship and innovation. In fact, there are more than 9.4 million women-owned American businesses that employ nearly 8 million Americans with annual revenues now totaling $1.5 trillion.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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